A researcher submits an article in September. A thesis defense, performance review, or grant report is scheduled for the spring—it seems like there’s plenty of time. But by March, the manuscript still hasn’t been accepted: one journal rejected it during the editorial screening, another has been delayed in finding reviewers, and after resubmission, the cycle started all over again.
Two years ago, this process often took 3–4 months. By 2026, for many authors, the full cycle from submission to indexing in Scopus may already take 6–12 months or longer. This is not a universal timeframe for every journal, but the risk of delays has become significantly higher.
There is more than one reason. The system is under pressure from a number of factors: a growing number of manuscripts, a shortage of reviewers, stricter editorial screening, resubmissions following rejections, and risks associated with changes in the status of journals.
Let's take a look at what exactly has changed over the past two years and how to plan a Scopus publication if you have a specific deadline.
What makes up the "queue" for publication?
Authors often refer to the entire process from manuscript submission to database entry as a “queue.” However, Scopus itself does not peer-review articles or place authors in a queue. Scopus indexes the content of journals included in its coverage.
In fact, the process consists of three distinct stages:
- The Review Process—From Manuscript Submission to the Editorial Board’s Final Decision.
- The publishing cycle—from the acceptance of an article to its actual publication.
- Indexing—from the publication of the article to the appearance of an entry in Scopus.
The process tends to take the longest when a manuscript isn't accepted on the first submission. Each new attempt means a new editorial cycle at a new journal.
Reason No. 1: The number of submissions is growing faster than the peer-review system
In the first quarter of 2026, journals on the ScholarOne platform received 33% more manuscripts than during the same period in 2025. The growth rate also accelerated sharply: a year earlier, the increase was 17%.
More manuscripts mean more work for editors and reviewers. And the number of experts willing to promptly take on new articles for review is not growing at the same rate.
For the author, this often seems straightforward: the manuscript remains “Under Review” for weeks or months, while the editorial staff continues to search for the right experts.
Reason #2. A single rejection can add a few more months
The most common mistake is to plan your timeline based solely on information from a single journal. Even if the editorial board specifies an estimated review period of 8–12 weeks, that doesn’t mean the article will be accepted on the first try.
A typical scenario looks like this:
- submission of a manuscript;
- awaiting an editorial decision;
- rejection or substantial revision;
- search for another journal;
- adaptation of the design and supporting documents;
- A new submission and a new review cycle.
If there are two or three such attempts, a few months can easily turn into 6–12 months of total waiting time.
Reason #3: Choosing a safe magazine requires constant monitoring
The journal may be listed in Scopus today, but its status and coverage period are subject to change. Therefore, the Scopus logo on the journal’s website or an old screenshot from the database is not sufficient verification.
Before serving, be sure to check:
- Is the journal currently indexed?;
- What coverage period is specified in Scopus;
- whether there is a notice regarding the suspension of indexation;
- Does the selected issue correspond to the current coverage period?;
- whether the journal's subject matter aligns with your research.
Official source for verification: List of Scopus sources on the Elsevier website, including a list of publications that are no longer indexed.
In the chatbot LEO from the "Academy of Articles" You can check whether the journal is currently indexed in Scopus for free. This takes less time than having to republish after choosing the wrong journal.
Reason No. 4: The editorial selection process has become more rigorous
As the volume of manuscripts increases, editorial offices are unable to send every article they receive for full peer review. Therefore, the importance of the initial editorial screening is growing.
A manuscript may be rejected even before peer review if:
- The topic does not quite fit the journal's scope;
- the scientific novelty is not clearly defined;
- the methodology is not described in sufficient detail;
- the structure or formatting does not meet the requirements;
- The list of sources does not fully reflect the current state of the field;
- The editorial staff has questions regarding academic integrity or the origin of the text.
A quick rejection from the editorial board sometimes seems like a lesser problem than a lengthy review process. But if you then have to look for another journal and revise your submission, the overall timeline gets pushed back anyway.
What does this mean for a Ukrainian researcher?
For PhD candidates in Ukraine, publishing in Scopus is not mandatory for everyone without exception.
According to the current Procedure for Awarding the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy, the research findings of the dissertation must be presented in at least three scholarly publications. These may include both articles in publications listed in the List of Scientific and Professional Publications of Ukraine and publications in journals indexed in Scopus and/or the Web of Science Core Collection. At the same time, an article in a relevant Q1–Q3 journal may be considered equivalent to two scientific publications.
Therefore, Scopus becomes particularly important when such a publication is required by your academic and research program, individual plan, grant or competition terms, or is necessary for a specific academic or career goal.
In this situation, deadlines are critical: if there are only a few months left until the target date, a delay in the review process, resubmission after a rejection, or waiting for indexing could cause you to miss your planned deadline.
Related topics: "Publication Requirements for PhD and Doctor of Science Degrees in 2026: What Has Changed Since 2024"
The Three Main Risks of Waiting Until the Last Minute to Publish
Many months may pass between the submission of a manuscript and its actual publication. During this time, the journal’s status or its coverage period in Scopus may change. That is why you should check the journal not only before payment but also at key stages of the publication process.
If there are four months left until the deadline and the first journal rejects the manuscript after two months of review, there is almost no time left for a new full review cycle. The publication plan should include a time buffer and alternative publication options.
A letter of acceptance is an important step, but it does not mean that the record has already appeared in Scopus. There are distinct stages between acceptance, actual publication, and indexing. If you need the material to be indexed by a specific date, you’ll need to plan the entire process.
How to Reduce the Risk of Delays
It is impossible to guarantee a quick decision by an independent editorial board. However, much of the time wasted can be eliminated even before the initial submission.
1. First, review the journal, and then adapt your manuscript to fit its requirements.
2. Evaluate the relevance of the subject matter, rather than selecting publications based solely on quartile rankings.
3. Check whether the deadline is realistic if the publication is tied to a thesis defense, performance review, or grant.
4. Prepare your manuscript for a specific publication, rather than submitting the same version to different journals.
5. Allow extra time for revisions and resubmission.
6. Verify that the journal is currently indexed before submission and before the final stage of publication.
The paradox is that the fastest route to publication often begins not with a search for a journal labeled “fast publication,” but with choosing the right journal—one where the manuscript has a real chance of passing the editorial review on the first submission.
Conclusion
In 2026, planning a Scopus publication based on the principle of “submitting a few months before the deadline” is becoming increasingly risky.
Turnaround times are influenced by a number of factors, including the growing number of manuscripts, the workload on editors and reviewers, a more rigorous initial screening process, resubmissions, the publishing cycle, and subsequent indexing.
Therefore, the key question today is not just “How often does the journal publish?” but “Will my article make it through the entire indexing process in time for the desired date?” You need to have the answer to this question before you even submit your manuscript for the first time.
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